The DA-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) has been recognized as an “Outstanding Development Partner” by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 3 for the successful implementation of the Carabao-Based Enterprise Development (CBED) program in Central Luzon.
The awarding ceremony took place today during the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) celebration at The Orchid Gardens in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The recognition highlighted DA-PCC’s significant contribution to providing market access for MSMEs through the CBED program.
The CBED is one of the major components of DA-PCC’s Carabao Development Program (CDP). It showcases carabao-based livelihood opportunities designed to address the continuing concerns of poverty alleviation, nutritional improvement, and farmers’ empowerment.
One of the criteria for the award states that the program must have verifiable and significant results and must be self-sustaining. This matched the mission of the CDP—to promote the economic benefits that the carabaos offer: incomes from milk, meat, and hide. Milk, in particular, contributes significantly to the improvement of the nutritional status of farming families and, at the same time, creates a ready market for the growth of carabao-based dairy enterprises.
DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Liza Battad, who accepted the award, expressed her felicitations to the National Dairy Business Hub of DA-PCC, led by Dr. Cyril Baltazar.
“#TatakPCC: NIZ Value Creating Industry Partnership in Nueva Ecija. Big Congratulations! You are making us proud! Let us continue being changemakers for carapreneurship,” she stated.
The agency is also a regional nominee for the 2024 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners.
Meanwhile, the Simula ng Panibagong Bukas Multipurpose Cooperative, one of the assisted co-ops of DA-PCC, was also recognized as among the Outstanding MSMEs in the region for its outstanding efforts to meet challenging standards of excellence and for consistently showing its commitment for growth, competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability in the country.to
